St. Patrick’s Day Traditions from Around the World

St. Patrick’s Day was originally a cultural and religious occasion that marked the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. In the early 1600s, March 17th was officially declared a feast day, and as the Irish spread around the world, so did their St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Historically, the day was celebrated with parades and festivals, music and dance, food and drink, and ubiquitous green attire. But, as with all things, time has changed these traditions for a number of communities around the world.

You know all about the giant celebrations held in places like Dublin, Chicago, and Boston, but have you heard of the St. Patrick’s Day traditions from these four destinations?

1. New London, Wisconsin, US. Each year, New London’s Shamrock Club, a group of residents dressed as leprechauns, changes all the town’s highway signs to read “New Dublin.”

2. Tokyo, Japan. Every St. Patrick’s Day, the Tokyo Irish Setter Club’s members and their pups don their best green duds to march in a parade dedicated to these beautiful Irish dogs.

3. Banwen, Wales, UK. In the village of Banwen, there’s a stone commemorating the birthplace of St. Patrick. Every March 17th, there’s a bag pipe processional through the village in St. Patrick’s honor.

4. Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland’s “Greening of Auckland” celebrates by lighting the city’s Sky Tower, Eden Park, Auckland Museum, and Auckland harbour up in green.

For an in-depth look at even more St. Patrick’s Day traditions from around the world, click here to read the full blog post.